3

8.—2

Of the 3,754 children attending Native schools 8093 per cent, were Maori or nearly Maori, 837 per cent, were half-castes, and 1070 per cent, were Europeans or nearly so. Of the 3,446 children of Maori or mixed race attending the public schools 59-2 per cent, were Maori, 74 per cent, were of mixed race living as Maoris, and 33 - 3 per cent, were of mixed race living as Europeans. The standard classification of pupils of Native schools at the end of the year was : Preparatory classes, 1,205, an increase of 159 over last year ; Standard 1., 631 ; Standard 11., 719 ; Standard 111., 568 ; Standard IV., 373 ; Standard V., 159 ; Standard VI., 68 ; and passed Standard VI., 31.

No. 2. The Inspector of Native Schools to the Inspector-General of Schools. y IR Wellington, 31st January, 1905. In accordance with instructions, I have the honour herewith to place before you a report on the general condition of the Native Schools and the work done by them during the year 1904. At the end of 1903 there were in full operation 101 village schools. During the course of the year 1904 one new school was opened and one was handed over to the Auckland Education Board. At the end of 1904 there were thus 101 village schools. Owing, however, to the difficulty of getting certificated or experienced teachers several schools remained vacant for the greater part of the year. In addition to these, there are four denominational schools which are usually examined and inspected by the Department, viz.—Matata Convent, Putiki Mission, Otaki Maori Mission, andWaerenga-a-hika Mission Schools. There were also, until this year, two schools in the Marlborough Sounds District— Whangarae at Croiselles Harbour, and Okoha at Pelorus Sound—which ranked as aided schools, but from which, owing to their becoming, beyond all doubt, denominational in character, all subsidy was withdrawn. Higher education is provided for Maori children in five secondary schools —Queen Victoria School, St. Joseph's Convent, and the Hukarere School for girls, and St. Stephen's and Te Aute for boys. A new secondary school for girls has lately been established at Turakina, in the Rangitikei District, and operations will commence there in 1905. Changes : New Schools, etc. A new school was opened at Kaingahoa, near Russell, in September quarter, and appears to be doing satisfactory work so far. The new school at Oruanui, Taupo District, was finished in July, but the opening was delayed for some time pending the appointment of a suitable teacher. The building at Mangorongo School was also well in hand, and the school should begin work early in 1905. The school formerly erected at Tapuaeharuru, Lake Rotoiti, was removed to a more convenient site at Wai-iti, and school work there was commenced in December quarter. The Right Hon. the Minister having directed that all persons appointed to Native schools shall be either certificated teachers or persons who have had experience as teachers, it was found impossible to open Whakarara School, near Whangaroa, and Whareponga, near Waipiro Bay, during the year owing to the want of suitable applicants having these qualifications. The following teachers have from various causes left the service during the year : Mr. Moloney, late of Tangoio School; Rev. A. McKenzie, of Pamapuria ; Mr. W. A. Leech, of Te Kerepehi; Mr. C. Bolton, Wharekahika. Miss I. Louch, one of our most successful women teachers, left the service of the Department towards the end of the year, and I also regret to state that Miss C. H. Lundon. for many years a hard worker in the service, died in October at the Native school, Papamoa, near Tauranga. Proposals for New Schools. With reference to the proposals for new schools, I have to state that, owing to lack of time, it was found impossible to investigate cases other than those that lay in the line of route to schools already existing. Several places that were marked for a visit had thus to be neglected for the year, and no progress can in their instance be recorded. They are as follows : — Bowen Town and Matakana Island, Hangatiki, Kaingapipiwai, Kohanga, Kakanui (Kaipara), Kawa (Great Barrier), Te Huruhi (Waiheke Island), Mataora Bay (Thames), Maraetai _ (Port Waikato), Otawhiwhi (near Katikati), Ohui (near Tairua, Coromandel), Port Albert (Kaipara), Parapara (Wanganui), Pukehou (near Te Aute), Te Patunga (Kaeo). The position is also unchanged with regard to the following : Hurunui-orangi (Wairarapa), Motuti (Hokianga), Pakau (Lower Waikato), Poroutawhao (near Levin), Ramoto (near Wairoa, Hawke's Bay), Rahotu, Te Puke, Takou, Waiuku (near Manukau, Auckland). With regard to other cases, including fresh applications, I have to report as follows : — Te Kopua, Raglan.—lt is proposed to remove Raorao buildings to this site. Kaiwhata — Plans and specifications for a school were prepared, but the probable cost was prohibitive : fresh proposals to be made. Kokako. —There seems no reason for reopening this school: the buildings should be sold or removed. , . Scoria Flat (Orauta), Kawakawa.—The preliminary investigations have been made here. A suitable site is difficult to select owing to the scattered nature of the settlements; a half-time school has been opened here by the Auckland Education Board.